Laurent Mekies highlighted the pivotal role played by Max Verstappen in Red Bull’s turnaround in 2026 following a challenging start to the season.
The race director stated that the four-time world champion’s “exceptional technical sensitivity” was essential in identifying the car’s performance limits, which allowed the team to enhance both reliability and performance.
Red Bull succeeded in securing two consecutive victories in Malaysia and Singapore, with Verstappen converting his pole position into wins in both races, including the Sprint at Marina Bay.
Mekies clarified that although Verstappen detects issues, solutions are not always immediate, but his feedback provides a “huge boost” for the development of the chassis and power unit.
Despite these advances, Mekies remains cautious and emphasizes that the team continues to work on improvements, maintaining a constructive and honest mindset within the group.
Finally, Mekies noted that Red Bull has regained a winning pace across different types of circuits, raising hopes for increased competitiveness in upcoming races.